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Citing Sources

Use of Tables and Graphs

The information provided in this guide is based on the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed. 1st printing) and the APA website: https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures/

Overview

Tables and figures are used to display information in a clear, condensed format. Tables are arranged in rows and columns and can contain numerical and textual information. Figures include any other form of presentation such as pictures, concept maps, graphs, charts, and drawings.

General formatting guidelines for tables/figures include:

Numbers

  • All tables/figures are numbered in order of their mention in the text. 
  • Use Arabic numbers
  • Place the number above the figure/table
  • Use bold font, e.g. Table 1.
  • Position the number flush left (no indents)

Titles

  • All tables/figures should have a clear, concise, explanatory title. ● Place the title 1 double-space below the number
  • Use italic font, e.g. This is the Title for Table 1

Body of Tables

  • The body of a table includes the rows/columns
  • Use the insert ‘Table’ function in Word to create a table
  • Text in the body can be 1, 1.5, or 2 spaced
  • All table columns must have a heading that describes all items in that column
  • Center all table column headings
  • Only capitalize the first word in the heading (i.e. sentence case)
  • Do not include any vertical lines between columns
  • Only use borders and horizontal lines to separate the body of the table from the header

Figure Images

  • Use a sans serif font (e.g. Arial, Calibri) within a figure
  • Use a font size within the range of 8 - 14 points
  • Capitalize all major words for axis labels, headings, etc. (i.e. title case) 
  • Abbreviate the following: number → no. and percent → %
  • If using color, use high-contrast colors and avoid unnecessary shadings and gridlines
  • If a figure includes a key/legend it is placed within the borders of the figure.

Notes

  • Place any notes below the table/figure. Examples of notes include
  • definitions of abbreviations used within the table/figure
  • copyright attribution for any table/figure inserted from another published source

Placement

  • Tables and figures may be placed in one of two locations; in the text or on a separate page after the reference list

Examples